On May 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a list identifying more than 500 jurisdictions considered “sanctuaries,” including cities, counties and states that, according to President Donald Trump’s administration, deliberately hinder federal immigration enforcement by limiting their cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Sanctuary jurisdictions are those that have adopted policies to limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, a crucial issue in the Trump administration’s current policy.
What are sanctuary jurisdictions?
These policies may include refusing to notify ICE of the release of detained individuals or prohibiting local law enforcement from inquiring about the immigration status of individuals.
The DHS list includes jurisdictions in more than 35 states. California tops the list with 48 counties and 63 cities identified as sanctuary.
States and cities on the list
Other featured states include Illinois, Colorado, New York and New Jersey. Major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco are also included.
The release of this list is in response to an executive order signed by President Trump on April 28, 2025, instructing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and publicly denounce jurisdictions that fail to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Federal government actions
DHS has indicated that these jurisdictions will receive formal notices of noncompliance and potential violations of federal law.
In addition, the Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funds from these jurisdictions and take legal action if they do not modify their policies to align with those of the federal government.
Many of the listed jurisdictions have defended their policies, arguing that they foster trust between immigrant communities and local authorities, which improves public safety.
Responses from sanctuary jurisdictions
For example, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has stated that his city is a haven for immigrants based on principles of humanity and inclusion, and that all residents should have access to public services regardless of their immigration status.
In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis recently signed into law a bill that strengthens protections for immigrants, prohibiting local jails from holding individuals solely for immigration purposes and restricting the sharing of personal information with federal agencies.
The publication of this list and subsequent actions by the federal government are causing concern among immigrant communities, especially the Hispanic community, which represents a significant portion of the population in many of these jurisdictions.
Varios estados cuentan con ciudades santuario que son refugio para inmigrantes, pero con las políticas de Trump eso está siendo seriamente amenazado
Sanctuary cities protect immigrants
Sanctuary policies have been seen as a way to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation and encourage their participation in society without fear.
However, pressure from the federal government could lead to changes in these policies, affecting the lives of thousands of people.
The confrontation between the Trump administration and sanctuary jurisdictions reflects the deep divisions in U.S. immigration policy.
While the federal government seeks stricter enforcement of immigration laws, many cities and states are defending policies they consider essential to the cohesion and safety of their communities.
The outcome of this conflict will have a significant impact on the lives of millions of immigrants in the country.
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